The recall of bilevel and continuous positive airway pressure machines has dental sleep professionals searching for sleep apnea treatment alternatives.
The FDA recalled certain Philips Respironics ventilators, biPAP and CPAP machines June 30, 2021. The recall was issued because the foam used to reduce sound and vibration in the affected devices can potentially break down and enter the device's air pathway, where it may unintentionally be swallowed by the user.
The recall isn't the CPAP machines' only issue. The devices are also facing a chip shortage.
"The challenge is exacerbated by chip issues. So between the recall and the chips that are needed to essentially convey the information and help the device work, I think sleep physicians are finding it a little more difficult to prescribe CPAP and are contemplating alternatives like oral appliance therapy," Mitchell Levine, DMD, president-elect of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, told Becker's.
Oral appliance therapy is one alternative to CPAP. This device works like an orthodontic retainer. While sleeping, it supports the jaw in a forward position to keep the airway open.
"The oral appliance therapy has been a more recent trend even before the recall because of a lot of chatter about them in other social media circles," Dr. Levine said.
Another alternative is hypoglossal nerve stimulation. This method uses an implant that reduces the occurrence of obstructive sleep apnea by electrically stimulating the hypoglossal nerve and causing tongue movement. It is timed with breathing to relieve upper airway obstruction.
There are alternatives out there and there will be more to come. Challenge spawns innovation, and the dental sleep industry is no exception.
"I do expect, probably in the next couple of years, to see things like chip monitors and stuff like that that can be added to the oral device and mouthguards so the dentists can better understand how compliant the patient is with the usage of this device," Dr. Levine said. "I think that may tie into at some point some of the wearable that people are using and the apps that exist that help the patient better understand what they're getting from the device also."